Northern Illinois falls to Toledeo 69-64

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DEKALB — Julius Brown scored 20 points and Toledo used a late rally to pull ahead and hold off Northern Illinois for a 69-64 victory Saturday afternoon.

Brown was 6 of 12 from the field, including three 3-pointers. Matt Smith added 14, and conference scoring leader Rian Pearson had 12, for the Rockets (9-10, 5-3 Mid-American).

Abdel Nader recorded his second consecutive double-double for the Huskies (5-15, 3-5) with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Aksel Bolin chipped in 18 points and six boards.

Toledo led for most of the game but saw Northern Illinois go ahead 58-55 on Nader's 3-pointer with 4:17 to play. Pearson hit a free throw, then converted a three-point play after he was fouled on a layup, and Nathan Boothe hit two free throws to put the Rockets up by three.

The Huskies pulled within 64-62 on Bolin's layup with 32 seconds left but could get no closer.